Dr. Kelly Simms ND, CNS

Naturopathic Doctor and Nutritionist, Fertility Course, Natural Women's Health, Preconception and Fertility

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in Blog· Stress and Adrenal Health· Women's Health

Four Ways to Beat the Winter Blues

How do you keep yourself from falling into a mental slump during the winter?

  1. Vitamin D 

    Consider taking a Vitamin D supplement. Studies have linked Vitamin D deficiency and depression. Out of the many receptors in our brain, some of these are Vitamin D receptors which begins to explain the link between Vitamin D and the state of our mental health. Many of us do not receive enough Vitamin D even during the summer, let alone during the shortest days of the year, so getting your levels tested may provide insight into why you don’t feel your best during the winter. Read more about vitamin D on this post.

  2. Take up an indoor hobby or activity

    Pass the time during the short days and even better, have something on your calendar on a regular basis that you can look forward to. Maybe it’s a good excuse to finally take that art or cooking class you’ve been considering or buy a yoga package at a studio nearby!

  3. Embrace hygge

    Hygge, according to Hygge House, is “a Danish word used when acknowledging a feeling or moment, whether alone or with friends, at home or out, ordinary or extraordinary as cosy, charming or special.” Think sitting by the fire while it snows outside or even just the comfort wrapping up in warm blanket. This is the most cost effective suggestion for beating the winter blues, because hygge is a feeling. It’s finding warmth and intimacy during the coldest days. Try to think of the winter as an excuse to do all of the coziest activities, rather than think of all of the things you can’t do until it warms up. Give it a try! This may mean incorporating a habit of enjoying a warm cup of tea into your evenings or hosting a casual dinner party for friends instead of braving the cold to go out.

  4. Incorporate more warm meals into your diet

    Is there anything more comforting than a delicious warm bowl of soup or stew in the winter? Now is the time to break out the ol’ crockpot and get those veggies simmering. There is an endless amount of comfort food to make. For some inspiration, take a look at these crockpot recipes on the New York Times Cooking and these tips from Healthyish for making the best crock pot meals!

 

Authored by Ellen Davenport

Resources

Hygge Definition & how to pronounce it?

Depression

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Dr. Simms and her practice are focused on achieving balance, radiant health and wellness.

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Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a th Estrogen dominance, or unopposed estrogen, is a theory in which the level of estrogen outweighs the level of progesterone and other hormones in the body. Picture a seesaw. Estrogen is the person high in the air looking down at the progesterone (and other hormones)- sitting at the other end with their feet on the ground.

Our bodies need estrogen for reproductive, cardiovascular, and bone health. Estrogen is a very important hormone! Too much estrogen, however, can be linked to an assortment of conditions like: 
- Heavy periods
- Migraines
- Water retention 
- Fibrocystic breasts
- Uterine fibroids 
- Endometriosis
- Mood swings 
- Hormonal weight gain

High estrogen can be caused by certain medications, excess body fat, stress, alcohol, liver issues, and synthetic xenoestrogens, so some dietary and lifestyle changes may be needed to correct your hormone levels. And, what about supporting the other hormones? Picture the seesaw again. We can support healthy progesterone production with dietary and lifestyle changes as well!

Was this helpful? If so – like, follow, and don’t forget to comment below any questions you have about estrogen dominance!
There are few health conditions as frustrating to There are few health conditions as frustrating to address and correct as acne.

Courses of antibiotics, dozens of topicals, spironolactone, supplements, and the birth control pill are the main treatments most of my patients have tried before they come to me. While some may be effective, you might be still wondering: is there a way to heal my skin once and for all and not have to use this stuff?

Acne is so frustrating for many because it seems like there are a million things you could be trying. So, what are some NATURAL first steps you can take if you are struggling with acne?

1) Get your hormone levels checked. Knowing if you have any hormone imbalances can help your doctor to cater your treatment plan to your specific needs.

2) Address your gut health. Your gut is the foundation of your health and can be closely tied to skin issues.

3) Try going dairy free. I’ve found this is one food group that can be especially problematic for people that suffer with acne. The thing to know is that you have to avoid it for at least 30 days and also that in the future, you can probably have at least some dairy back. It’s usually not a forever restriction.

If you have questions about your struggles with acne, leave a comment below or send me a DM. I’d love to chat about potential solutions and help you get to the bottom of your skin concerns.
It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highligh It’s time for another Sunday Supplement highlight! Today, we’re talking about Magnesium Glycinate.

Magnesium Glycinate is a supplement that increases magnesium levels. Magnesium is vital in regulating muscle and nerve function, blood sugar levels, and blood pressure. It may also be helpful in the making of bone, protein, and DNA. 

I love magnesium glycinate because it is one of the easiest forms of magnesium supplementation for the body to absorb. It is also gentle on the digestive tract which means it is less likely to cause undesirable side effects such as an upset stomach or loose stool. 

Magnesium glycinate might be especially helpful for you if you suffer from:
- High blood pressure or heart disease
- Type 2 diabetes
- Osteoporosis
- Migraine headaches
- Depression

Do you have more questions about magnesium glycinate? Leave a comment below, or shoot me a DM and we can chat!
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